Patearoa’s Bridget Becker is the first New Zealander to receive a special award for exemplifying the traditional curling values in the World Women’s Curling Championships.

Bridget has been in Sweden with Team Smith (the New Zealand Women’s curling team), competing against the top 12 curling nations. 

The team faced tough competition and unfortunately finished last on the table. 

A silver lining was Bridget’s display of skill, honesty, fair play, friendship and sportsmanship which earned her the 'Frances Brodie Spirit of Curling Award'.

New Zealand Curling Association (NZCA) secretary and Bridget’s sister in law Lauren Becker said the award was voted on by the teams in the tournament.

“Bridget stepped up to the mark and was continuously positive. Both her and Holly got sick with a flu… they still gave it their all and showed their fighting kiwi spirit.

“She’s a role model to younger female curlers and she gives back to her sport,” Lauren said.

Lauren said Bridget’s overall goal is to encourage more women into the sport at a social and competitive level. 

Bridget is a member on the NZCA executive to promote and develop the women’s game. 

Lauren said above all curlers are “caring, salt of the earth type people” .

“Bridget manages to do this, have a job and be a mum… we’re just so proud of her.”    

Bridget in action 

The Frances Brodie award was introduced in 1989 by the World Curling Federation (WCF) and it has been presented at the end of each World Women's Curling Championship ever since. 

Frances was the driving force behind the group who established the first World Ladies Curling Championship in 1979 and she chaired the first ladies committee of the WCF. 

Bridget’s dad Peter Becker was officially inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame at the same time as she received her award. 

Award winning family: brother Sean (past three time winner of the Collie Campbell Award for sportsmanship), Bridget with her award and dad Peter (now officially inducted into the Curling Hall of Fame) 

Peter, a stalwart of NZ Curling, is the first New Zealander to have this honour. 

Read more: Maniototo local enters world curling hall of fame

The Women’s championships was won by Switzerland, with Norway taking silver, and Canada bronze. 

On behalf of NZCA and Team Smith Lauren thanked sponsors and community donations; many of which came through the boosted sport campaign which ran during February. 

The World Men’s Curling Championship will be hosted in Ottawa, Canada in April. The Kiwi men have qualified for the first time in 11 years.

Curling was introduced by Scottish gold miners to New Zealand, with the first reported game in Maniototo on July 6, 1878.